Illinois‘s land-based casino sector closed 2025 with extraordinary results. The 17 licensed establishments in the state accumulated gross gaming revenue of $1,943,722,561.89, consolidating sustained growth that far exceeds pre-pandemic figures and positions the state as one of the most dynamic markets in the country.
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This performance represents not only a 15% increase compared to the $1.7 billion recorded in 2024, but also a 29% jump compared to 2023 and an impressive 44% increase compared to the $1.35 billion in 2019, the year before the pandemic.
Revenue Breakdown: Slot Machines Lead Collections
The revenue distribution in Illinois shows the predominance of electronic gaming machines over traditional tables. Of the nearly $2 billion generated, approximately $1.49 billion came from slot machines, while table games contributed the remaining $457.8 million.
This proportion highlights players’ preference for electronic devices, which account for about 76% of the sector’s total revenue. Slot machines continue to be the main economic engine of the state’s casinos, with popular machines like Wheel of Fortune, Dragon Link, and Lock It Link among the public’s favorites.
New Openings Drive Sector Growth
The entry of new competitors into the market contributed significantly to annual growth. Wind Creek Chicago Southland, opened in November 2024, positioned itself as the second most profitable casino in the state in its first full year of operation, generating $198 million in revenue.
This $529 million facility, located in East Hazel Crest in the southern Chicago metropolitan area, was authorized through the 2019 gaming expansion package under Governor JB Pritzker’s “Rebuild Illinois” initiative. The complex includes a 70,000-square-foot casino and an adjacent hotel opened in April 2025.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford completed its first full calendar year at its permanent location, reaching third place in the state rankings with $146.2 million in revenue. The transition from its temporary to permanent facilities resulted in spectacular growth, with monthly increases exceeding 100% year-over-year.
Top Five Illinois Casinos in 2025
The podium of the state’s most profitable casinos was configured as follows:
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines: $503 million (26% market share)
- Wind Creek Chicago Southland: $198 million
- Hard Rock Casino Rockford: $146.2 million
- Grand Victoria Casino (Elgin): $142.2 million
- Bally’s Chicago (temporary): $124.7 million
Grand Victoria Casino, operated by Caesars, maintained its position among the state’s top revenue generators. Meanwhile, Bally’s Chicago continues to operate at its temporary location at Medinah Temple while proceeding with the construction of its $1.7 billion permanent casino in Chicago’s River West neighborhood, scheduled to open in late 2026.
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Challenges in the Sports Betting Sector
While land-based casinos celebrate record figures, the sports betting industry faces uncertainty. Illinois recently implemented a 25-cent charge per bet on the first 20 million bets of an operator, increasing to 50 cents after exceeding that annual threshold.
This measure led operators like DraftKings and FanDuel to implement transaction fees of $0.50 per bet for Illinois customers, seeking to offset potential losses. The Sports Betting Alliance reported five million fewer bets in September 2025 compared to September 2024, attributing the drop to the new tax.
Illinois Contrasts with National Trends
Illinois’s performance is particularly noteworthy when compared to other US markets. While states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan increasingly rely on online gaming to boost their overall figures, with modest growth in land-based operations, Illinois experienced double-digit increases driven solely by physical casinos.
Nevada, which primarily relies on in-person gaming, reported only 3.5% growth in June 2025. In contrast, Illinois recorded increases of over 20% in July and August, consolidating its distinctive trajectory in the national gaming landscape.
Outlook for 2026: More Expansion on the Horizon
Illinois’s land-based casino sector shows a strong position to continue its growth. With consecutive months of gains exceeding 20%, new properties generating excitement, and expansions attracting more visitors, the state has become one of the most dynamic gaming markets in the country.
The planned opening of Bally’s permanent casino in Chicago by the end of 2026 promises to add a new catalyst to the market. Furthermore, competition from new facilities such as Ho-Chunk Nation’s $705 million casino in Beloit, Wisconsin, just 15 minutes from Rockford, will introduce new competitive dynamics in the border region.
The overall picture indicates that Illinois has successfully established a robust and diversified land-based casino ecosystem, capable of attracting both local residents and visitors from neighboring states, while generating substantial economic benefits for state coffers and host communities.
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